incumbent

Currently holding a political position.

• The incumbent mayor won again.
• Voters rejected the incumbent president.
• The incumbent senator faces a strong challenger this year.

Similar words: serving, current

Common phrases: incumbent president, incumbent mayor, incumbent senator, incumbent governor

Bent downward or resting against another part or surface.

• The diagram shows an incumbent spine.
• An incumbent hair rests against the leaf's surface.
• The bird's incumbent wing lies close to its body.

Similar words: bent, resting

Common phrases: incumbent wing, incumbent spine, incumbent hair

The person who currently holds a particular official position, especially in politics.

• The incumbent won the election.
• Two candidates are challenging the incumbent.
• Voters replaced several incumbents last year.

Similar words: officeholder

Common phrases: the incumbent, defeat the incumbent, challenge the incumbent, the present incumbent